The world’s most thrilling horse race will leave you breathless
<p>Get ready for Italy’s most famous sporting event.</p>
<p><strong>What is it?</strong></p>
<p>A one of a kind horserace through the main square of the medieval city of Siena in Tuscany. The race has been held almost continually since the mid 1600s and is a symbol of Sienese pride. It began to commemorate a miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary in the town, though over the centuries has been used to honour many other saints and prominent figures. The city is divided into 17 contrade (districts) and representatives from 10 of these are chosen to compete. Each has their own emblems and colours, and the city streets are decorated to show their support. The horses are ridden bareback and must complete three laps of the square. The whole event is over in not much more than a minute. </p>
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<p><strong>What is the atmosphere like?</strong></p>
<p>The city is abuzz for the four days of the festival, leading up to the race on the final day. Some 40,000 locals come to watch as well as around 20,000 tourists from Italy and around the world. The atmosphere is electric with the warmth and passion of the Italian people spilling out onto the streets. The square is bursting with people on the day of the race, so see if you can secure a spot on a verandah to watch.</p>
<p><strong>What other events are there?</strong></p>
<p>The whole festival lasts four days, so make sure you arrive early to take some of it in. On the first day you can watch la tratta, the selection of the horses, and a series of trials. On the night before the race, each contrade hosts a huge open air dinner in the main street of their district. Speak to a travel agent or find a friendly local to secure a ticket. Just before the race, there is a two-hour procession with people in historical dress of the 13<sup>th</sup> and 14<sup>th</sup> centuries to celebrate the time when the Sienese Republic was the centre of Italy.</p>
<p><strong>When is it?</strong></p>
<p>Il Palio is held on July 2 and August 16 each year.</p>
<p><strong>How much is it?</strong></p>
<p>It is free to stand in the central area of the square, around which the race takes place. However it will be extremely crowded and you may struggle to get a spot. Grandstand seating is set up around the edges, though you will need to pay for a ticket for these. Enterprising locals also rent out their verandahs overlooking the square.</p>
<p>Have you ever been to Italy?</p>
